Currently testing the service herself, Wright says that she has
been able to see when the local Chipotle is giving out free
burritos, when her son's school has a special guest, and even
when a local crimes happens.

If testing goes well, local
news would likely be added to Google Now's collection of
individual subsections, called "cards." So in addition to your
Weather, Traffic, and Appointment cards in Google Now, you would
also have one titled Local News.

Getting people to use such a
local news feature will be bolstered by the inclusion of Google
Now in all modern Android phones, and further availability
through the search engine's "Google Search App" for
iOS.

Through direct integration with an already established product
such as Google Now, the search giant might just be able to crack
the local news conundrum.